Guarantees of origin specify the energy source from which electricity is produced. They serve to enable users of electricity to support the production of energy with renewable sources within the definition of the EU directive 2009/28/EC.

Landsvirkjun is involved in various social projects and follows a policy of providing grants to good causes. The company has supported a number of causes, including various charities, cultural and educational projects and sports and leisure activities.

Landsvirkjun has erected it's first wind turbine in an area known as "Hafið" near Búrfell Power Station. Thanks to rapid technological development wind energy is fast becoming a viable option when it comes to environmentally friendly power.

Laxá Power Station I

Laxá Power Station I

The Laxá I Station is the oldest power plant in the river Laxá. From the dam at the top of the canyon, the water is first diverted through an underground tunnel and then through a channel approximately 670 m in length, leading to the power station. The station operates two turbine units, coming on-line in 1939 and 1944. For the Laxá II Station, the river is dammed 300 metres below Laxá I, diverting the water 380 metres to the power station via a penstock and a surge tank.

2,5 MW

Hydropower

2,5 MW

2,5 MW

Hydropower

2,5 MW

50 MW

5 MW

Installed capacity

2 x 2,5 MW

2 Francis turbines

3 GWh p.a.

Generation capacity

39 m

Total head

1939

Brought online

Catchment Area

Laxá Stations

The three Laxá Stations harness a 70 m head on an 1800 m strecth of River Laxá to produce a total of 27.5 MW of electricity. The inflow to Lake Mývatn is mostly underground, through layers of lava, largely immune from seasonal fluctuations and ideal for harnessing hydropower.

Laxá I and II are low head hydro stations that harness the natural flow of River Laxá. Station III, the latest addition, utilizes the same head as Laxá I but runs its water through a tunnel to the power station, 60 metres inside the rock. The town of Akureyri and the Icelandic Government built the Laxá Stations which joined Landsvirkjun in 1983.